Medium Blog Optimization: 7 Ranking Tips

Published on 31 July 2023 7 min read

Optimize your headlines
Use relevant tags
Include images and multimedia
Engage with readers through comments
Publish consistently
Promote your blog on social media
Measure your performance with analytics

If you're looking to make your mark on Medium, a popular platform for bloggers and thought leaders, you've come to the right place. With a few tweaks and adjustments, you can easily optimize your blog posts for Medium, giving your content the best shot at grabbing the attention of your ideal audience. So, how do you optimize blog posts for Medium? Here are seven expert tips to get you started.

Optimize your headlines

First off, let's talk about your headlines. Yes, they're just a few words at the top of your blog post, but trust us—they pack a punch. When it comes to optimizing blog posts for Medium, having an eye-catching, search-friendly headline is a must.

So what does a "search-friendly" headline look like? Here are some tips:

Include your main keyword: If you're writing about 'how to make homemade pizza', then make sure that phrase shows up in your headline. This helps Medium's algorithms understand what your post is about and who might find it interesting.
Keep it short and sweet: Medium headlines should ideally be under 60 characters. Anything longer might get cut off in search results, leaving potential readers guessing what your post is about.
Make it clear and compelling: Your headline should give readers a clear idea of what they'll get from your post—be it a solution, a new perspective, or valuable information. And remember, a little intrigue never hurts!
Use numbers when possible: Headlines with numbers (e.g., "7 Ways to Optimize Your Blog Posts for Medium") can catch readers' eyes and make your post seem more actionable.

But remember, while SEO is important, your headline's main job is to entice humans, not algorithms. So ask yourself: Would you click on this headline?

Use relevant tags

Next up on our quest to optimize blog posts for Medium: tags. Tags are like signposts. They help steer your blog post to the right audience, and help potential readers find your content amid the sea of other posts. So, how can you make the most out of tags?

Choose your tags wisely: On Medium, you can add up to five tags per post. These should be relevant to your content and in line with what your target readers might search for. For instance, if your blog post is about 'how to make homemade pizza', relevant tags might include 'Cooking', 'Recipes', 'Italian Cuisine', 'Pizza', and 'Homemade'.
Go for a mix: Use a combination of broad (e.g., 'Travel') and niche (e.g., 'Solo Travel') tags. This can increase your post's visibility among different groups of readers.
Research, research, research: Spend time exploring popular tags on Medium related to your topic. Check out the top posts in those tags and notice any trends or patterns. This can provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn't.

Remember, tags aren't just about SEO—they're also about connecting with your audience. They're a way of saying, "Hey, this is what my post is about. If that's what you're into, come on in!"

Include images and multimedia

Images aren't just about making your blog post look pretty—although that's definitely a bonus. They're also a super effective way to optimize your blog posts for Medium and boost reader engagement. How so? Let's get right to it.

Images grab attention: Ever heard the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words"? In the fast-paced world of online content, an eye-catching image can be the difference between someone scrolling past your post, and someone stopping to read it.
Images help explain your points: If you're explaining something complex or detailed, a well-chosen image can help your readers understand your point more clearly. After all, seeing is believing, right?
Images break up the text: Let's be honest, nobody likes to look at a wall of text. Using images throughout your post can make it easier and more enjoyable to read. This can encourage your readers to stick around, boosting your post's engagement and ranking.
Multimedia increases engagement: Why stop at images? Including other forms of multimedia like videos, podcasts, or interactive content can further enhance your readers' experience and engagement with your post.

So, the next time you're wondering how to optimize blog posts for Medium, remember: a picture—or video, or podcast—can go a long way!

Engage with readers through comments

Want to know a little secret on how to optimize blog posts for Medium? It's all about the comments. Yes, that's right—those seemingly small interactions can actually have a big impact on your post's ranking. Here's how.

Builds a community: Engaging with your readers through comments helps to build a sense of community. When readers feel like they're part of a conversation, rather than just passive consumers of content, they're more likely to keep coming back to your blog.
Keeps readers on your blog longer: The more comments there are to read, and the more engaged you are in the comment section, the longer your readers are likely to stay on your blog. This can boost your blog's "dwell time" which is a positive signal to search engines.
Can increase shares: When readers feel heard and engaged with, they're more likely to share your blog post with others. This can increase your blog's visibility and reach, helping it to rank higher on Medium.
Provides valuable feedback: Comments aren't just beneficial for your readers—they're also a great source of feedback for you. They can provide insights into what your readers enjoyed about your post, what they didn't, and what they'd like to see more of in the future. This can help you to continue improving and optimizing your blog posts for Medium.

So don't just hit publish and walk away. Stick around, engage with your readers, and see the difference it can make to your Medium blog post's ranking.

Publish consistently

Now, let's talk about another key aspect of optimizing your blog posts for Medium: publishing consistently. Just like your favorite TV shows have a regular schedule, so should your blog posts. But why is this important?

Keeps readers engaged: If you're posting new content regularly, your readers will always have something fresh and exciting to look forward to. This can help to keep them engaged and coming back to your blog on a regular basis.
Boosts your visibility: The more frequently you post, the more chances you have of showing up in search results or in your readers' feeds. This can help to increase your blog's visibility and, as a result, its ranking on Medium.
Sends positive signals to search engines: Regularly posting new content can send positive signals to search engines, indicating that your blog is active, relevant, and valuable to readers. This can help to improve your blog's ranking, both on Medium and in external search results.

So, how often should you post? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question—it depends on factors such as your topic, your audience, and your own personal schedule. But as a general rule, aim to post at least once a week. This is a balance that allows for consistency without overwhelming you or your readers.

Remember, it's not about churning out content for the sake of it—it's about providing value to your readers. So while consistency is key, always prioritize quality over quantity. And with that, you're another step closer to mastering how to optimize blog posts for Medium.

Imagine baking a delicious cake but no one knows about it. That's what happens when you write a great blog post and don't promote it—especially on social media. Like the frosting on your cake, social media can sweeten the deal, helping your blog reach more readers and rank higher on Medium.

Use your personal network: Start with the people you know. Share your blog post on your personal social media pages. Your friends, family, and colleagues might just be your first readers and sharers!
Join relevant groups: There are tons of groups on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn with interests that align with the topics of your blog. Share your Medium blog posts in these groups to reach a wider audience who are likely to engage with your content.
Tag and engage: Don't just post your blog and forget about it. Engage with your audience. Respond to comments, thank people for sharing, and tag relevant people or pages. It not only builds a community around your blog but also signals to Medium that your blog is engaging, which can boost its ranking.

Remember, each social media platform has its own best practices for sharing content. What works on Twitter might not work on Instagram. Learn these practices to make the most out of your social media promotions.

With that, you're all set to take your Medium blog promotion to the next level. Now, that's how you optimize blog posts for Medium using social media. Happy blogging!

Measure Your Performance with Analytics

Writing and optimizing your blog posts for Medium is like shooting arrows in the dark if you aren't tracking your performance. That's where analytics come in. It's like turning on the lights in our metaphorical room, so you can see where your arrows are landing.

Now, you might ask, "But how do I use analytics to optimize my blog posts for Medium?" Good question! Here's how:

Identify Popular Posts: Look at the blog posts that are getting the most views, likes, and comments. What do they have in common? Is it the topic, the writing style, or the use of images? Use these insights to create more content that your audience loves.
Track Reader Engagement: Are people commenting on and sharing your posts? Or do they read halfway and drop off? Analytics can show you this. Use this information to tweak your content, making it more engaging and shareable.
Measure Traffic Sources: Are most of your readers coming from Google, social media, or direct links? Knowing this can help you focus your promotion efforts on the platforms that are getting you the most readers.

Remember, analytics isn't just about numbers. It's about understanding your readers — what they like, what they don't like, and how they are interacting with your content. And yes, that's another way of how to optimize blog posts for Medium.

So, don't forget to keep an eye on those numbers. They're more than just digits; they're the roadmap to your blog's success on Medium. Now, go ahead and make those numbers work for you!

If you're looking to further optimize your Medium blog and expand your reach, consider checking out the 'Batch Create and Manage Your Social Media Content' workshop by Carolyn Edge. While this workshop focuses on social media content, the strategies and methods shared can be applied to optimize and manage your Medium blog as well. Boost your blog's visibility and engagement by learning from the best!